Turn Your Book Into A Business
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If you’re an author—or aspiring one—chances are you’ve poured your heart into your book. But what if that book could be more than just a passion project? What if it could be the foundation for a thriving business?

This post builds on some of the things I’ve talked about in earlier podcast episodes on writing, publishing, and printing. If you haven’t caught those yet, I highly recommend giving them a listen—they pair perfectly with this.

Now, let’s talk about that big leap: turning your book into a business.

The Moment I Knew It Had to Be a Business

There was a clear turning point for me. I remember standing in a major bookstore, waiting to speak to the manager about doing an author event. While I waited, I found myself scanning the shelves. I noticed an enormous section dedicated solely to diet books—one niche with hundreds of options.

Then my eyes wandered to the children’s section. Again, so many books. I thought, How does anyone stand out in this sea of titles? How do you even get on these shelves, let alone get featured?

That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t just about writing anymore. If I wanted this to be sustainable, I had to treat my book like a business.

The Reality of Book Sales

Let’s break down some numbers. I went home and looked up the latest stats—and updated them recently to reflect where we are today:

  • In 2023, around 300,000 books were traditionally published, and millions were self-published or printed on demand.
  • Traditional books sell an average of just 250–300 copies per year.
  • Lifetime sales average around 3,000–5,000 copies for traditionally published books.
  • Royalties? Not exactly life-changing unless you hit it big.
  • Self-published books typically sell 100–300 copies a year, with lifetime sales between 200–1,000 copies.

Even if you earn $5 per book (which is actually a great margin), you’re still looking at around $5,000 lifetime. That’s eye-opening—and honestly, a bit sobering.

Don’t Let the Stats Discourage You

This isn’t to scare you. If you love writing and that’s your passion—keep going. Hone your craft. Submit proposals. Build your audience. You may need to work a full-time or part-time job on the side (been there), but don’t give up if it’s truly your dream.

But if your goal is to build a business, then it’s time to think bigger.

Think Beyond the Book: Diversify Like a Boss

Let’s look at one of the best examples out there: J.K. Rowling. Whether you’re a fan or not, she turned a book series into a billion-dollar empire. Yes, the books were successful, but the real wealth came from:

  • Movie deals
  • Theme park
  • Merchandise
  • Licensing

Now, I’m not saying we all need to aim for “billionaire” status. But what we can do is look at her model and ask ourselves: What parts of this can I apply to my business?

No movie deals? No problem. Start with what’s possible.

How I Diversified My Author Business

Here’s what I added to my book business:

  • A podcast (currently not monetized, but it builds reach). There’s another exciting one on the way!
  • Public speaking (Yes, I get paid.)
  • Merchandise—but only things that align with my brand and character
  • A writing curriculum: My Little Shop Publisher’s Workshop (Educator edition or Family edition.)

Everything I add to my business must feel authentic and connected to my core message.

Want to Diversify? Start Here:

  1. Create a visual map of your business—like a tree. The book is the trunk or center, the roots are your values, and everything else branches off from there.
  2. Get comfortable with public speaking. Try Toastmasters—it’s affordable and incredibly helpful.
  3. Brainstorm new ideas: apps, courses, events, games. If you need a brainstorming buddy, ask a friend… or even ChatGPT!
  4. Build your team. You can’t do this all on your own forever.

Your Author Business Dream Team Might Include:

Some of these you might not afford right away—and that’s okay. I’ve done most of this on my own, and sometimes all I could afford was a short-term consultant. But having a support system in place can save you thousands of dollars and hours of stress.

Final Thoughts: Build What Makes Sense for You

At the end of the day, your book is your foundation. From there, you can grow in many different directions. Whether it’s creating courses, launching a podcast, building a community, or speaking at events—do what makes sense for your business and your life.

If your heart is in writing, keep writing. If you’re dreaming of a bigger business, take the first step today to diversify and build the business that you envision.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t have to stay in the author lane. You can be a creator, a speaker, an entrepreneur—and yes, still be a writer at heart.

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